Note: This is an exclusive review from a reviewer that had the opportunity to watch the film at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Remember, you read it first on BollySpice.com!
Most people seem to believe that film making does not go beyond basic aesthetics like costumes, a thin storyline, and a grand star-cast. Rarely do we have the opportunity to witness directors that understand that at the end of the day, cinema is a form of expression and must be used as such. When handling such a powerful medium, it’s important that filmmakers understand the implications of what they make. They possess the power to spark change, to initiate discussion and to create awareness, yet slapstick comedies are what bombard us each Friday.
Deepa Mehta is by far one of the most courageous and innovative filmmakers in the last decade or so. With each and every one of her releases, she swims against the tide and has never bothered to conform to other’s expectations. This unbelievable passion for cinema and that power it holds shines through the bold subjects her films are based on. After her last film was nominated for an Academy Award, many wondered which alley Mehta would turn to in order to capture her next story. Surprisingly, she found this story in the comfort of her hometown.
Her latest film, Heaven on Earth, is probably her finest and most unique work till date, almost outshining her masterpiece Water.
The film opens to a colourful and lavish wedding celebration in India, where Punjabi bride Chand (Preity Zinta) relishes the last few moments with her family before she travels to Brampton, Canada to meet her future husband. As soon as she gets off the plane, suddenly the vibrant colours vanish. As the frame becomes cold and uninviting, Chand awkwardly meets her fianc
